Edmond Rostand was born at Marseilles in 1868. Rostand isundoubtedly one of the most brilliant dramatic poets of moderntimes. "Les Romanesques"--"The Romancers"--was performed forthe first time in Paris, at the Comedie Francaise, in 1894, andachieved considerable success. Its delicacy and charm revealedthe true poet, and the deftness with which the plot was handledleft little doubt as to the author's ability to construct aninteresting and moving drama. But not until the production of"Cyrano de Bergerac" in 1897 did Rostand become known to the worldat large. "L'Aiglon" (1900) was something of a disappointmentafter the brilliant "Cyrano." Ten years later came "Chantecler,"the poet's deepest and in many ways most masterly play.

"The Romancers" is best played in the romantic atmosphere of thelate Eighteenth century; the costumes should be Louis XVI. The